Container support device

ABSTRACT

A container support device for use in removing and delivering multiple fluids from a patient is disclosed. The container support device includes an attachment member for coupling the container support device to a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, a support body secured to the joint body, and at least one container support extending from the support body.

BACKGROUND

In a variety of medical procedures various fluids may be added to orremoved from the circulatory or other physiological systems of apatient. For example, a number of blood filtration and extra-renalreplacement therapies remove and filter blood and other fluids from thecirculatory or renal systems of a patient and return treated fluids orreplacement fluids to the patient. For example, therapies based onhaemofiltration, haemodialysis, haemodiafiltration, and plasmatheresisremove and replace a quantity of fluids from a patient. During theseprocedures, the quantity of fluids removed from and delivered to thepatients must be closely monitored. For example, the delivery of agreater amount of fluid to the patient than was removed may result inunnecessary organ strain or, in the case of blood therapies, high bloodpressure. In contrast, the delivery of a lesser amount of fluid to thepatient than was removed may result in low blood pressure, dehydration,organ failure, or a host of other related medical complications.

A number of fluid replacement devices which incorporate one or morescales configured to control flow pumps and to regulate the delivery offluids to and from a patient have been developed. Typically, thesesystems utilize a first weight scale to weigh the amount of fluid beingremoved from a patient and a second weight scale to weigh the amount offluid being delivered to the patient simultaneously. While these systemshave proven successful in the past, a number of shortcomings have beenidentified. For example, multiple scale systems are complex deviceswhich have been proven difficult and time-consuming to calibrate. Inaddition, systems utilizing multiple scales require an operator toprecisely monitor multiple weighting systems whose measurements areconstantly changing during a particular procedure.

In response, alternate systems utilizing a single weight scale have beendeveloped. These single scale systems measure and balance the quantityof fluid removed from and delivered to the patient simultaneously.Typically, a container support device having multiple container supportsthereon is coupled to the weight scale. An empty container for receivingfluid from the patient and a container having delivery fluids thereinare positioned on and essentially balanced on the container supportdevice. Thereafter, supply lines are coupled to each container andpumps, usually peristaltic pumps, are coupled to the supply lines.During use, the pumps remove fluid from and deliver fluid to the patientsimultaneously. Ideally, at all times during the procedure combinedweight of the two containers remains substantially constant. The weightscale having the container support device coupled thereto constantlymonitors the combined weight of the two containers during the procedure.During use, should the combined weight of the two containers vary beyonda predetermined limit an alarm will be triggered and the pumps connectedto the containers will cease operation. In contrast to multiple scalesystems, single scale systems are easier to operate and requireconsiderably less time to calibrate than multiple scale systems.However, at least one shortcoming associated with both systems stemsfrom inaccuracies in the weighting process. Torque or tortionalconstraints present within the weighting systems may affect weightmeasurement accuracy. In addition, balancing and calibrating presentsystems is a time consuming and labor intensive process. Furthermore,the ability of present systems to support multiple delivery containers(e.g. 3 or more containers) has proven problematic. More specifically,monitoring and balancing one container for receiving fluid from thepatient and one container for delivering replacement fluids to thepatient has been accomplished with some success. However, monitoring andbalancing one container for receiving fluid from the patient andmultiple containers for delivering replacement fluids to the patient hasproven to be more problematic.

Thus, in light of the foregoing, there is an ongoing need for acontainer support system adapted to couple to a material weightingdevice and capable of supporting and balancing multiple containersduring a medical procedure.

SUMMARY

A container support device for supporting one or more materialcontainers while removing fluids from and delivering one or moretherapeutic agents to a patient is disclosed. The container supportdevice disclosed herein may be coupled to a variety of weight scales ormeasuring devices. For example, the container support device may beaffixed to a scale coupled to a fluid substitution device for use inproviding a substitution fluid to a patient. Optionally, the containersupport device may be affixed to a scale coupled to a fluid removaldevice configured to remove at least one fluid from the body of apatient.

In one exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosed andincludes an attachment member for coupling the container support deviceto a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment member andconfigured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, a support bodysecured to the joint body, and at least one container support extendingfrom the support body.

In another exemplary embodiment, a container support device is disclosedand includes an attachment member for coupling the container supportdevice to a weight scale, a joint body attached to the attachment memberand configured to rotate about a vertical axis thereof, a support bodysecured to and configured to rotate about the vertical axis of the jointbody, and at least one container support extending from the supportbody.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, a container support device isdisclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the containersupport device to a weight scale, a joint body attached to theattachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axisthereof, the joint body having a first joint member configured to coupleto the attachment member in rotatable relation thereto and a secondjoint member configured to couple to the first joint member, a supportbody movably coupled to the second joint member, and at least onecontainer support extending from the support body.

In still another exemplary embodiment, a container support device isdisclosed and includes an attachment member for coupling the containersupport device to a medical fluid replacement device, a joint bodyattached to the attachment member and configured to rotate about avertical axis thereof, the joint body having a first joint memberconfigured to couple to the attachment member in rotatable relationthereto and a second joint member configured to couple to the firstjoint member and move along a first arc A₁, a support body movablycoupled to the second joint member and configured to move along a secondarc A₂, and at least two container supports extending from the supportbody. Such container supports may be positioned to be equidistant fromthe vertical axis of the joint body and arc A₂ may be perpendicular toarc A₁.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of a container support device will beexplained in more detail by way of the accompanying drawings, whereincomponents having similar but not necessarily the same or identicalfeatures, may have the same reference numeral, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support devicehaving an attachment member, a joint body coupled to the attachmentmember, and a container support body coupled to the joint body;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of an attachmentmember of a container support device as viewed along the lines 2-2 shownin FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 shows a bottom view of an embodiment of an attachment member of acontainer support device;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of an embodiment of a joint body of a containersupport device having a first joint member and a second joint memberattached thereto;

FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a first jointmember of a joint body as viewed along the lines 5-5 shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of an embodiment of a second joint member of ajoint body;

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of an embodiment of a second jointmember of a joint body as viewed along the lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a joint body of a container support devicehaving a support body coupled to a second joint member;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an embodiment of a support body of acontainer support device having container supports coupled thereto;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of asupport body wherein the container support is non-rotatably fixed to acontainer support body;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of asupport body wherein the container support is rotatably fixed to acontainer support body;

FIG. 12 shows a side view of an embodiment of a support body of acontainer support device having container supports movably coupledthereto;

FIG. 13 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support havinga coupling member positioned within a container support channel formedon a support body; and

FIG. 14 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container support of asupport body wherein two container supports are positioned proximate toeach other and movably coupled to the support body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one exemplary embodiment of a container support device. Asshown, the container support device 10 includes an attachment member 12coupled to a joint body 14. A support body 16 having one or morecontainer supports 18 thereon is coupled to the joint body 14. In theillustrated embodiment the joint body 14 includes a first joint member20 and a second joint member 22. Optionally, any number of joint membersmay be utilized to form the joint body 14. As shown, the joint body 14and the support body 16 are colinearly positioned along the verticalaxis A_(V). In an alternate embodiment, the joint body 14 and thesupport body 16 may not be positioned along a common vertical axis. Thecontainer support device 10 or the various components thereof may bemanufactured in a variety of sizes and configured to engage and supporta variety of material containers. For example, in one embodiment, thecontainer support device 10 may have a length of device for extractingfluids from and delivering fluids to a patient, such as systemsdedicated to blood filtration therapies, extra-renal replacementtherapies, and the like. Exemplary containers for coupling to thecontainer support device 10 include, without limitation, bags, pouches,bottles, cups, buckets, boxes, and similar devices. In addition, thecontainer support device 10 or the various components thereof may bemanufactured from a variety of materials including, for example,stainless steel, titanium, various metallic alloys, aluminum, ceramicmaterials, plastics, elastomers, silicones, or a combination thereof.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate various views of an exemplary embodiment of anattachment member for use with a container support device. As shown, theattachment member 12 includes an attachment member body 102 having anattachment member base 104 and at least one attachment member sidewall106 in communication therewith. In the illustrated embodiment, theattachment member 12 includes four attachment member sidewalls 106forming an attachment member recess 108. As shown, the attachment memberbase 104 includes at least one fastener recess 110 formed therein. Thefastener recess 110 is sized to receive at least one fastener 112therein, thereby enabling the attachment member 12 to be coupled to anynumber of devices. For example, in one embodiment the attachment member12 may be coupled to a blood filtration device or extra-renalreplacement therapy device. Optionally, the attachment member 12 may becoupled to any variety of devices or mechanisms as desired by the user.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fastener 112 may include a variety offastening devices configured to couple the attachment member 12 to asupport positioned on a device. Exemplary fastening devices include,without limitation, screws, bolts, pins, nails, locking members, orother mechanisms configured to couple various portions of the containersupport device together. In the illustrated embodiment, a rotation mount114 is secured to a surface of the attachment member base 104 andpositioned within the attachment member recess 108. The coupler recess116 is positioned on the rotation mount 114 and configured to receive acoupler (not shown) therein, thereby permitting the joint body 14 to bemovably coupled to the attachment member 12 (See FIG. 1). Optionally,the attachment member base 104 may be manufactured without a rotationmount 114 positioned within the attachment member recess 108. As such,the attachment base 104 may include a coupler recess 116 formed in theattachment member recess 108.

FIGS. 4-8 show an exemplary embodiment of a joint body for use with acontainer support device. As shown, the joint body 14 may include afirst joint member 20 and a second joint member 22. The first jointmember 20 may include a first joint body base 202 having a least onejoint body sidewall 204 extending therefrom. A first joint body pin 208may be positioned within a first joint body pin orifice 206 formed inthe first joint body sidewall 204. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the firstjoint body base 202 and the first joint body sidewall 204 form the firstjoint body recess 210, which is sized to receive at least a portion ofthe second joint body member 22 therein. The first joint body base 202further includes a first joint body coupling port 212 formed thereon andsized to receive a first joint body coupler 214 therein. The first jointbody coupler 214 may be sized to traverse the first joint body couplingport 212 located on the first joint member 20 and engage the couplerrecess 116 formed on the attachment member base 104 of the attachmentmember 12. (See FIGS. 2 and 3). FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the firstjoint member 20 having a rotation body 216 positioned on a surface ofthe first joint body base 202. The rotation body 216 may be sized andconfigured to engage the rotation mount 114 located within attachmentmember recess 108 of the attachment member 12 thereby permitting thefirst joint member 20 to rotate within the attachment member recess 108formed on the attachment member 12 when coupled thereto. (See FIGS. 2and 3). As such, either the rotation mount 114 of the attachment member12, or the rotation body 216 of the first joint member 20, or both, mayinclude any appropriate rotational devices or material to permit therotation of the first joint member 20 when coupled to the attachmentmember 12. Exemplary rotational devices or materials may include,without limitation, bearings including ball bearings or cylindricalbearings, races, low or ultra low friction materials, friction reducingmaterials, low friction plastics or elastomers, oils, carbons, teflons,silicons, or similar friction reducing materials.

Referring again to FIGS. 4-8, the second joint member 22 includes asecond joint body base 222 having at least one second joint bodysidewall 224 extending therefrom. A second joint body pin 228 ispositioned within a second joint body pin orifice 226 formed in at leastone second joint body sidewall 224. A second joint body attachmentpassage 230 may be formed within or approximate to the second joint bodybase 222. In one embodiment, the second body attachment passage 230 maybe sized and configured to receive the first joint body pin 206 therein.As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the second joint body attachmentpassage 230 is substantially perpendicular to the second joint body pin228. In an alternate embodiment, the second joint body attachmentpassage 230 may be transverse to or co-aligned with the second jointbody pin 228.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 8, the joint body 14 is configured to permit thesecond joint body member 22 to freely move along the arc A₁ when coupledto the first joint body member 20, thereby forming a single pivotuniversal joint. In addition, when the support body 16 is coupled to thesecond joint body member 22, the support body 16 is permitted to freelymove along the arc A₂. As shown, arc A₂ is substantially perpendicularto arc A₁. However, A₂ may be positioned at any angle relative to arcA₁. As such, the joint body 14 enables two points of freedom of rotationrelative to the vertical access A_(V). Further, the joint body 14 may berotationally coupled to the attachment member 12 when a first joint bodycoupler 214 is positioned within the first joint body coupling port 212located proximal to a rotation body 214 formed on the first joint bodybase 202. As a result, the joint body 14 is rotationally coupled to theattachment member 12 thereby permitting a third point of freedom ofrotation relative to the vertical axis A_(V) and eliminating or reducingconstraints or torques present within the container support device 10.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of joint bodiesmay be coupled to together to form a multiple pivot universal joint.

FIGS. 9-11 show an exemplary embodiment of a support body 16 for usewith a container support device 10. In the illustrated embodiment, thesupport body 16 includes a main body 300 having a first coupling section302 and a second coupling section 304 formed thereon. The first andsecond coupling sections 302, 304, respectively, define at least onecoupling relief 306 sized to receive the second joint body pin 226 ofthe second joint member 22 therein. (See FIGS. 4-8). In the illustratedembodiment, two coupling reliefs 306A, 306B are formed on the supportbody 16. A first coupling aperture 308 may be formed on the firstcoupling section 302. Similarly, a second coupling aperture 310 may beformed on the second coupling section 304. The first and second couplingapertures 308, 310, respectively, are sized to receive the second jointbody pin 226 therethrough. In an alternate embodiment, the first andsecond coupling apertures 308, 310, respectively, may be sized toreceive a fastening device configured to couple to the second jointmember 22 therein. Exemplary fastening devices include, withoutlimitation, pins, screws, hooks, eye bolts, washers or similar devices.Optionally, any number of coupling sections and coupling apertures arealso within the scope of the invention. Similarly, the main body 300 maybe attached to the joint body 14 using any other methods known to thoseskilled in the art without the use of coupling apertures. A containersupport body 312 is secured to the main body 300 and includes at leastone container support 18 positioned thereon. In one embodiment, thecontainer support body 312 may be securely attached or immovablyattached to the main body 300. For example, the container support body312 may be welded to or otherwise secured to the main body 300. In analternate embodiment, the container support body 312 may be detachablycoupled to the main body 300. For example, the container support body312 may be coupled to the main body in screw-fit relation. Optionally,any number of detachable coupling methods may be used to couple thecontainer support body 312 to the main body 300, including, withoutlimitation, snap fit relation, pinned relations, and friction fitrelation. Optionally, the container support body 312 may be immovably ornon-rotatably coupled to the main body 300. In an alternate embodiment,the container support body 312 may be capable of rotating about thevertical axis A_(V) of the container support device 10.

Referring again to FIGS. 9-11, the illustrated embodiment shows fourcontainer supports 18 positioned on the container support body 312.Optionally, any number of container supports 18 may be positioned on thecontainer support body 312. For example, the container support body 312may include two container supports 18. Further, when multiple containersupports 18 are positioned on the container support body 312, thecontainer supports 18 may be of constant or variable width, length,pitch, angle, or orientation. As shown in FIG. 10, the containersupports 18 may be immovably or non-rotatably affixed to the containersupport body 312. For example, the container supports 18 may be coupledto the container support body 312 using, without limitation, screws,threads, bolts, pins, welds, adhesives, or any combination thereof. Inan alternate embodiment, FIG. 11 shows a container support 18 affixed tothe container support body 312 in moveable relation. For example, thecontainer supports 18 may be capable of rotating about the containersupport access A_(S). In the illustrated embodiment, the containersupports 18 comprise cylindrical body members affixed to the containersupport body 312. Optionally, the container supports 18 may be formed ina variety of shapes including, straight members, curved members, clips,hooks, bottle supports, cups or similar shapes. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 9, the container supports 18 are positioned an equaldistance from the vertical access A_(V) of the support body 16. As aresult, when equally weighted material containers are positioned onopposing container supports 18, the support body 16 will be balancedalong the vertical axis A_(V). Optionally, the container supports 18 maybe positioned at equal or unequal distances from the vertical axis A_(V)of the support body 16. In addition, the container supports 18 may bepositioned on the container support body 312 so as to remain balanced inrelation to the vertical axis A_(V).

FIGS. 12-14 show an alternate embodiment of a container support body foruse with a container support device 10. Similar to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 9-11, the container support body 412 is secured tothe main body 300 and includes at least one container support 418positioned thereon. In the illustrated embodiment the container supportbody 412 includes a container support channel 420 formed therein. Thecontainer support channel may be sized to receive at least a portion ofthe container support 418 therein and configured to permit the containersupport 418 to be selectively moved and repositioned therein by a user.In an exemplary embodiment, the container support channel 420 formed inthe support body 412 includes at least one movable coupling member 422therein. A coupling fastener 424 may be coupled to or attachable toeither the coupling member 422, the container support 418, or both. Assuch, the container support 418 may include a fastener recess 426 sizedto receive a fastening coupler 424 therein. During use, the user mayposition the coupling member 422 at a desired position on the containersupport 412 (See line 1 in FIG. 12). Thereafter, the user may couple thecontainer support 418 to the coupling member 422, thereby compressingthe container support body 412 between the container support 418 and thecoupling member 422 and restricting the movement of the coupling member422 within the container support channel 420. As a result, the containersupport 418 is secured to the container support body 412 at locationdesired by the user. Any number of container supports 418 may bepositioned on or detachably coupled to the container support body 412.For example, the container support body 412 may include two containersupports 418. Further, when multiple container supports 418 arepositioned on the container support body 412, the container supports 418may be of constant or variable width, length, pitch, angle, ororientation. In the illustrated embodiment, the container supportchannel 420 is horizontally positioned on the container support body412. In an alternate embodiment, the container support body 412 mayinclude any vertically positioned container support channels,horizontally positioned container support channels, container supportchannels positioned at an angle, or any combination of the above.

In closing, it is noted that specific illustrative embodiments of thecontainer support device have been disclosed hereinabove. However, it isto be understood that the container support device is not limited tothese specific embodiments and not limited to the precise embodimentsdescribed in detail hereinabove.

1. A hemofiltration system comprising: a container support device forsupporting a fluid container, wherein the container support devicecomprises: an attachment member for coupling the container supportdevice to a medical fluid replacement device; a joint body attached tothe attachment member and configured to rotate about a vertical axisthereof, the joint body having a first joint member configured to coupleto the attachment member in rotatable relation thereto and a secondjoint member configured to couple to the first joint member and movealong a first arc A1; a support body movably coupled to the second jointmember and configured to move along a second arc A2; and at least twocontainer supports extending from the support body, wherein thecontainer support is at least one of shaped or oriented to stablysupport the fluid container.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein arc A2 isperpendicular to arc Al.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the at leasttwo container supports are positioned to be equidistant from thevertical axis of the joint body.